Position Title: Primary Addiction Counselor (PAC)
Location: Ithaca, NY
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Supervisor: Clinical Supervisor
Positions Supervised: None
Anticipated Hours: Full-Time: 35 hours per week
Wage: TBD depending on education, experience and QHP status
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Job Summary:
The PAC is responsible for positive, collaborative relationships with clients, their families, the CARS' team and community partners. The PAC provides research-based assessment, counseling (individual, family, and group), crisis and clinical interventions, and case management services, including discharge planning, while assuring regulatory compliance.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in human services or related field; or equivalent combination of education and SUD experience total 4 years. QHP status required.
Desired Qualifications:
Master's degree with 4+ years SUD experience.
Knowledge:
A basic understanding of addiction and recovery issues. Knowledge of basic counseling techniques, including treatment planning is essential. Working knowledge of motivational interviewing, cognitive behavioral therapy, strength-based principle of treatment and an individualized approach to treatment is desired.
Skills:
Excellent interpersonal skills, ability to multi-task, crisis intervention skills, ability to maintain healthy & appropriate treatment boundaries, utilization of EMR software for documentation and communication, ability to be a proactive team player, and able to represent the agency well.
Key Tasks:
- Demonstrated understanding of the role of the Addiction Counselor at CARS and demonstrated skills in the competencies of the Addiction Counselor as defined by the 12-core functions and global criteria. Includes adherence to all NYS-OASAS and CARS requirements and regulations concerning client care and chart compliance.
- Provide clinical support to clients, as needed.
- Fidelity to the treatment model at CARS with special emphasis on adherence to the Matrix Model. Includes facilitation of psycho-educational groups ranging from small group coaching to didactic lessons. Implement existing curricula to engage clients in goal setting and support individual treatment planning activities.
- Act as coach and teacher while assisting clients in problem solving and developing coping skills to address addictive and unhealthy behavior patterns.
- Assure clients' appropriate utilization of all program services toward their treatment goals. Possess a pervasive awareness that our clients are customers and free to make care choices.
- Demonstrated skills at being an outstanding team member. This includes conduct that always recognizes and supports the primacy of team needs, agendas and priorities over individual ones.
Additional Tasks & Responsibilities:
- Conduct individual, group, and family counseling sessions.
- Complete necessary monthly reporting on time..
- Document group attendance in a timely manner.
- Monitor and maintain the safety and security of the clients and the facility.
- Address addictive and unhealthy behaviors with the most appropriate clinical intervention per agency guidelines.
- Document activities in accordance with agency practices.
- Maintain confidentiality, as per agency practices and confidentiality law.
- Be on time with client administrative paperwork activities including but not limited to: Assessments, Treatment Plans, and Discharge Summaries.
- Effectively communicate with the team and community partners regarding client needs.
- Planning and conducting special activities, as assigned.